The Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam recently hosted a significant national workshop. This event marked the fifth gathering of Ocean Centres India, a long-term initiative under the United Nations Global Compact. The Lloyd's Register Foundation provides crucial support for this program.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Reach
Strategic partners for this initiative include the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Directorate General of Shipping. Ocean Centres India operates across seven countries: Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The initiative firmly places safety at the very core of sustainability within the ocean economy.
Workshop Theme and Opening Session
The Visakhapatnam workshop carried the theme "Stepping stone towards a safe and sustainable ocean economy in India." The program commenced with an inaugural session. Senior policymakers and sector leaders participated in this opening segment.
Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey, the country lead for Ocean Centres India, provided key details. He noted that eight closed-group multi-stakeholder workshops are currently being held. These workshops take place across key maritime hubs in India, including Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Panaji, and Kolkata.
Key Insights from Speakers
Uma Sudhindra, a member of the IIM Visakhapatnam board of governors, delivered an important address. She spoke about the ocean's critical role as a lifeline. This lifeline supports energy, food, technology, and trade globally. Sudhindra stressed the growing importance of maritime cybersecurity. She called for several specific actions:
- A dedicated cybersecurity framework
- Technology hardening measures
- Human capital development
- Enhanced regional cooperation
Captain V Pardhasaradhi also shared his perspective. He serves as the deputy nautical adviser and senior deputy director general (technical) at the directorate general of shipping. He highlighted several of India's key initiatives:
- The Panchamrit action plan
- Green shipping initiatives
- The Swachh Sagar portal
- The national green shipping policy
- Ship recycling measures
Moving from Deliberation to Action
Alex Stitt, director of the Heritage and Education Centre at the Lloyd's Register Foundation, offered a forward-looking statement. He said the initiative will soon enter an assessment and actions phase. This phase aims to translate stakeholder deliberations into practical pathways. The ultimate goal is to strengthen safety and sustainability within India's ocean economy.
Panel Discussions on Critical Topics
The workshop featured two important panel discussions. The first panel focused on "Port security: issues and challenges in India." Professor Amit B. Chakrabarti moderated this session.
A second panel tackled the topic of "Demand and supply gaps in blue finance and investment in India." Professor Md Shameem Jawed served as the moderator for this discussion.
Anchoring Sustainable Practices
IIM Visakhapatnam's Centre for Responsible Management Education anchors this entire initiative. The program continues to advance essential work in three key areas: research, dialogue, and action. All efforts focus on promoting sustainable economic practices related to the ocean.
